AGP Executive Report

Grammys Backlash: BTS says it won’t submit music for next year’s Grammys after the Recording Academy added a new Asian pop category, arguing music shouldn’t be boxed by region or language. Tour Politics: South African star Tyla removes Lagos from her APOP World Tour after Nigerian boycott calls tied to xenophobia concerns, while Nigeria’s senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan urges visa reciprocity over Ayra Starr’s reported South Africa denial. UK Arena Milestone: Tamer Hosny headlines OVO Arena Wembley on Oct. 31, billed as the first Arabic/Middle Eastern artist to top a Live Nation-promoted UK arena show. Chart Watch: Charli XCX’s *Music, Fashion, Film debuts at No. 1 on Australia’s ARIA Albums Chart; Tyla’s APOP* enters at No. 28. Industry & Tech: Universal Music shares plunge 23% on slower subscription growth, and labels push for clearer chart rules around AI music. Global Scene: Philippines metal band Sentient Void represents the country at Wacken Metal Battle’s Germany final. Live Music Community: Levitt at the Falls expands its music programming year-round, using concerts to build social connection.

Grammys Backlash: BTS says it won’t submit music for the 2027 Grammys after the Recording Academy added a Best Asian Pop category, arguing music shouldn’t be boxed by region or language; Legal & Privacy: Ariana Grande sues alleged hackers over leaked unreleased music, studio footage, and private files; Global Music Film: John Legend joins the cast of Bill Condon’s Graceland-related biopic, portraying civil-rights icon Harry Belafonte while the movie shoots in South Africa; Africa Culture & Diplomacy: Trinidad and Tobago’s UTT hosts “Uhuru: Celebrating Freedom” for African Emancipation Day through readings, music, dance and theatre, while Nigeria’s Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan calls for reciprocal visa steps after reports of Ayra Starr being denied entry to South Africa; Community Through Sound: A Hanover, Pennsylvania bell dedication project spotlights local history via a “Building Community” design; Industry Numbers: Universal Music Group reports healthy first-half 2026 revenue growth; Classic Legacy: Restored Ma Rainey recordings arrive in a new box set, bringing long-missed performances back into focus.

BTS vs Grammys: BTS says it won’t submit music for the 2027 Grammys after the Recording Academy launched a Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, sparking fresh debate over whether the move celebrates or separates artists; Grammys response: CEO Harvey Mason Jr. says the category is meant to expand recognition, not divide, and stresses artists can still compete for top awards; AI on charts: Major labels including Sony, UMG and Warner propose rules for when AI-generated songs can chart, hinging on lawful authorization and “substantially human-made” work; AI copyright test: A German lawsuit against Suno AI is set for a verdict, with GEMA arguing training used copyrighted music without licenses; Rock comeback: Tony Iommi announces first solo album in 21 years, “From The Dark,” with lead single “World Alone”; Music loss: Tributes pour in after Irish singer Glen Hansard dies in a Dublin motorcycle crash; Live music moment: Sam Fender and Lewis Capaldi share the official video of their “Rein Me In” duet at BST Hyde Park; Chart/scene: i-dle and Yuqi top Tencent Music’s 2026 midyear Korean charts.

Grammys Backlash: BTS says it won’t submit music for the 69th Grammys, protesting the new “Best Asian Pop Music Performance” category and arguing music shouldn’t be boxed by region or language. Artist Rights: Noah Kahan also hit back at the White House after it used his song “American Cars” in a Trump post, saying he “would never approve” of his music being used politically. Global Music Loss: Irish Oscar winner Glen Hansard (Once, “Falling Slowly”) died at 56 in a motorcycle crash near Dublin, prompting tributes from major artists. Electronic Music: French synth icon Kavinsky, known for “Nightcall” (Drive), died at 50 in Paris. Culture & Community: Caribbean Music Awards moves from Brooklyn to Trinidad & Tobago for 2026, while Iowa’s IOWinds Alliance brings saxophonist Kenneth Tse to Mount Vernon to boost wind-and-brass education. New Releases/Events: Miranda Lambert shares behind-the-scenes for her country-disco “Crisco” video; Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine hits 104 weeks on the UK Albums Chart.

Grammys Protest: BTS says it won’t submit music for the 69th Grammys, pointing to the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category and arguing it risks dividing artists by region and language. US Politics & Rights: Noah Kahan hit back at the White House after his song “American Cars” was used in a Trump promo post; Katy Perry made a similar complaint over “Firework” being used to soundtrack military strikes. Music & Culture Spotlight: Route 66 marks its 100th anniversary with a new Oklahoma exhibit tracing how the highway shaped jazz, blues, country, rockabilly and rock ’n’ roll. Global Scenes: Ukrainian hip-hop group TNMK toured the US with a “Don’t forget Ukraine” message. Industry Watch: ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews marked a decade leading the rights group while pushing for stronger protections for songwriters as AI grows. New Releases: Kroi dropped “All in,” the opening theme for Liar Game season two. Live/Events: Euro-Africa International Music and Cultural Festival heads to Naples (Oct 30–Nov 1).

Artist Representation: WME signs roots icon Rhiannon Giddens for worldwide representation, adding to her Grammy, Pulitzer and major screen/film music work. Missing Music Legend: Friends of folk singer Linda Perhacs, 82, say she’s been missing for eight months after leaving a residential care facility; they’re urging the public to help confirm she’s safe. Music Tech Lawsuit: Ariana Grande sues anonymous hackers in Los Angeles over alleged theft and leaks of unreleased songs, footage and private images, seeking to identify the “John Doe” defendants. Courtroom Drama: British YouTuber/rapper Yung Filly’s rape and assault case heads to jury deliberations in Australia after closing statements. Global Pop Spotlight: Tems is named executive music producer and curator for the Paramount fantasy film Children of Blood and Bone, contributing new songs alongside Burna Boy and others. Streaming & Culture: A report highlights the Philippines’ music boom, driven by heavy streaming and local hits from P-Pop acts like BINI and SB19. Live-Stream Moment: Kai Cenat defends Tyla during a Disney World livestream after an alleged catcaller is confronted, winning praise online.

Legal Fallout: Ariana Grande has filed a Los Angeles lawsuit against “John Doe” hackers accused of leaking unreleased songs, plus private photos and video, with claims of hundreds of leaks since 2011 and 45 in 2023 alone. Live & Touring: Tyla confirms her A*POP World Tour with a South Africa run—Cape Town (Jan 4, 2027) and Johannesburg (Jan 9, 2027)—after a Paris-to-Africa trek. K-pop Spotlight: AAA 2026 in Kaohsiung adds LNGSHOT, &TEAM and ATEEZ to the first lineup. Encore News: Jay Park announces a Seoul encore concert Aug 29–30, debuting new track “Remedy.” Music on Screen: First look released for the Hugh Masekela biopic The Road Home, starring Thabo Rametsi and Cynthia Erivo, filming in South Africa. Cultural Programming: Ireland named guest country for Cartagena’s La Mar de Músicas 2027. Controversy in Entertainment: Fil-Am music director Troy Laureta criticized racist/colorist remarks tied to a TV moment, urging safer spaces for artists of color.

Global Tour Announcements: Tyla just mapped her first-ever A*Pop world tour with 34 dates across Europe, North America, and Africa, with sales starting July 31. Chart Power: Gracie Abrams’ Daughter From Hell debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, her biggest first week yet, and she’s already lining up a major tour. Health & Music: Carly Simon revealed she’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (and treated for skin cancer), and she’s set to release Comes in Waves in August. Live Music & Community: Fair Lawn launched a hotline to track loud-music complaints tied to Paterson, while Klamath Music Festival marked its 10th anniversary with a bigger downtown setup. New Releases: KEXP’s new-rotation picks include IAN SWEET’s Shiverstruck and Syd’s Beard, plus a weekly roundup of fresh songs. Legal Spotlight: D4vd was ruled to stand trial in the murder case involving Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Cultural Pulse: Boy George released a pro-Israel single, We Will Dance Again, adding to the ongoing music-politics debate.

World Cup Fallout: FIFA chief Gianni Infantino hit back at 2026 World Cup critics, calling them “consumed by hate” and urging them to “reflect, meditate, pray,” after controversies including visa issues and ticket pricing. Global Pop Spotlight: Shakira explained why she chose Burna Boy for “Dai Dai,” saying she needed a “masculine voice” and waited 20 days for his verse. K-pop & Live Events: South Korea plans “Fanomenon,” a Seoul global pop festival running Dec 2–12, 2027, aiming to rival Coachella-style scale. Music Industry Watch: Roxette canceled its North American 40th-anniversary tour due to rising touring costs, while Europe dates remain. Regional Culture & Heritage: Malaysia’s Borneo Native Festival brought the Sarawak-Sabah sape to Kuala Lumpur with a modern twist. Humanitarian Music Moment: Assam singer Papon urged support as floods leave 68 dead and thousands displaced. New Releases: Karol G dropped “Matadora” as her Tropitour heads through North America. Genre Trend: A US report says electronic music is the fastest-growing genre in 2026. Tour News: System of a Down and Faith No More announced Australia/NZ shows for early 2027.

Rock & Metal Tours: System of a Down and Faith No More confirmed a 2027 Australia/New Zealand run with stadium dates in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Wellington; tickets go on general sale July 31 after city pre-sales July 28. Pop & Songwriting: Shakira says writing her breakup track “BZRP Music Sessions #53” was “pure catharsis” after cheating allegations involving Gerard Piqué. Alt-Pop Release: Charli xcx’s “Music, Fashion, Film (B-Sides Edition)” lands on iTunes with three newly purchasable B-sides plus videos. Chart News: Gracie Abrams scores her first Billboard 200 No. 1 with “Daughter From Hell.” Gospel Live: The Clark Sisters, Fred Hammond and Deitrick Haddon announce “Legends of Gospel: Vegas Residency” at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas in October. Global Music Industry: Qatar’s Voice of the Gulf refreshes its “Sessions” promotion with a daily digital schedule and artist listings. Africa Spotlight: Sierra Leone rapper Kao Denero earns a Best Male Hip-Hop Artist Africa nomination at the NEMA Awards 2026. Live Music: Five Finger Death Punch debuted new songs from “Legacy” during its Camden, NJ stop.

Live Looping: Ed Sheeran turned Petco Park into an intimate loop-powered show, building a full stadium sound in real time with looping pedals and no backing track. Festival Focus: Lollapalooza 2026 leans hard on female headliners (Lorde, Charli XCX, Tate McRae, Olivia Dean) plus rising acts like Little Simz and Leon Thomas. New Releases (R&B/Rap): Fridayy drops album Tension (Aug 14) with “Haiku,” while EZ Mil unleashes “2200,” a Filipino-roots track with a globe-trotting video. Pop/Global Spotlight: Shakira explains why she chose Burna Boy for the World Cup song “Dai Dai,” citing the need for a masculine, high-energy voice. Music + Society: Cameroon’s New Bell prison runs Jail Time Records, turning inmates into artists with a prison-filmed hit video. Legal/Politics in Music: Katy Perry blasts the White House for using “Firework” on Iran-strike footage without approval. Classical & Community: Lakes Area Music Festival’s “Passion” pairs Brahms with the Schumanns, with a Brahms-and-Schumann concert Aug 2.

Katy Perry vs. the White House: Perry says she’s “deeply appalled and angry” after the White House TikTok used her “Firework” over footage of U.S. military strikes on Iran, stressing she wasn’t asked and her song is meant to bring people together, not celebrate warfare. World Cup halftime spectacle: FIFA’s first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show drew a star-studded lineup (Coldplay curated, with Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy and more), though critics flagged pacing issues. K-pop chart hit: BLACKPINK’s Jennie’s solo “Less than a Lover” debuted at No. 1 on iTunes in 27 countries and topped YouTube trending worldwide. African music industry push: Nigerian artist D’Banj’s C.R.E.A.M and indie label CINQ Music team up to develop emerging African talent via mentorship and global distribution. Live music spotlight: Jack White’s Pine Knob show will be livestreamed via Nugs for fans who can’t attend. Roxette tour canceled: Roxette postponed their 40th anniversary North American run, citing higher touring costs. Community festivals: Maple Ridge’s Afro Heritage Festival (Aug. 2) and Worcester’s 11th Summer Gospel Fest (July 25) bring local and global sounds to the streets.

Global Pop Release: Tyla drops her second album A*POP, expanding “popiano” with collaborations from Zara Larsson, Liquideep, MaWhoo and more. Hardcore Loss: Sick of It All frontman Lou Koller dies at 59, with tributes highlighting his decades-long impact on punk and metal. Music Meets Community: ArtsQuest’s SoccerFest drew ~39,000 fans to SteelStacks for World Cup watch parties plus live music and culture. Cultural Heritage & Music: UNESCO inscribes Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites, spotlighting China’s craft legacy that echoes the wider global push to preserve cultural traditions. Africa’s Spotlight: Shakira backs Uganda’s Ghetto Kids after their World Cup Finals performance, urging investment in overlooked children. Live Music Programming: Widnes’ former St Marie’s church hosts a £3 summer gig series, bringing accessible live sets to a non-traditional venue. Drag TV Buzz: M1ss Jade So stands out in the premiere of Drag Race Down Under vs. the World. Jazz Outdoors: The Charlie Porter Quintet plays a free Sunday concert in Eastsound.

K-pop to cinemas: CORTIS will broadcast its debut world tour live from LA to theaters worldwide on Aug. 13–14, with tickets going on sale July 31. Detroit youth spotlight: The S.O.N.G. Project Youth Performing Arts Camp brings a Detroit-flavored “The Wiz: Reimagined” to Music Hall Friday, with every performer a camper. Classical organ revival: “The Gates of Vienna” spotlights baroque solo organ music from the Habsburg era, leaning into the instrument’s power beyond church stereotypes. Latin crossover night: Venezuelan cuatro star Jorge Glem and accordionist/pianist Sam Reider team up in Denver July 31, mixing merengue, joropo, and jazz-rooted originals. World Cup’s music boom: Spotify says soccer/football playlists hit 172M global streams during the 2026 tournament window, nearly quadrupling 2022. Pop album drop: Charli XCX releases “Music, Fashion, Film,” her first full-length since “Brat,” with early reactions calling it a sharper reinvention. Global Afrobeats nod: British Afrobeats artist Luca Zuccotti visits Lagos’ New Afrika Shrine and meets Femi Kuti, spotlighting Fela’s lasting influence. Country festival shift (Australia): As mixed-genre events struggle, country-focused festivals are rising, with new lineups and demand driving the trend.

UK & Europe Arena Push: Teddy Swims announces The UGLY Tour’s UK/European arenas for next spring, with dates from Birmingham to London’s O2 (tickets on sale July 31). Pop Debate: Pixie Lott weighs in on the “new music vs fan expectations” fight after Becky Hill was booed at TRNSMT for debuting fresh material. Argentina/Spain Fallout: Rosalía faces backlash in Buenos Aires after fans say a World Cup-related repost was offensive; she deleted it and apologized. Live Music Tension: Aaron Lee Tasjan addresses walkouts during “I Love America Better Than You,” arguing artists should challenge audiences. Australia Festival Headliners: Lewis Capaldi and RAYE top Spilt Milk 2026, hitting multiple cities in December. Charts Down Under: Gracie Abrams lands at No. 1 on Australia’s ARIA Albums Chart with Daughter From Hell. Global Touring: BTS and other major acts are booked for MetLife Stadium’s summer concert run. Africa Spotlight: Spotify data says Nairobi’s “Chai ya Saa Kumi” surged to the city’s most-streamed song in June.

Global Music Business: Sony Music, Universal Music Group and Warner Music are set to establish a presence in Nairobi, with President William Ruto calling it a vote of confidence in Kenya’s creative ecosystem and promising better access to distribution and international markets. Pop Culture & Film: Pulp’s What Do You Do For An Encore gets a one-night cinema run—UK/Ireland Sept 18, Canada Sept 23, US Sept 24—alongside an autumn MUBI streaming release. K-Pop/Global Spotlight: BTS’s Jungkook is among the World Cup halftime performers tied to a surge in streams, while Christie’s and Global Citizen launch an online charity auction featuring the official final match ball and signed jerseys. New Music Releases: Charli xcx steps into a new era with Music, Fashion, Film, and Brennan Wedl shares two tracks from her upcoming self-titled album. Legal/Artist News: D4vd’s lawyers challenge how police tested evidence found in his home as his murder and child abuse case heads toward trial. Community & Heritage: A new powwow debuts at Cheyenne Frontier Days’ Morningstar American Indian Village, and Arkansas women in music get spotlighted in a program tied to From Almeda to Zilphia.